Chapter 648.     AN ACT FOR THE PROVISION OF  MEDICAL  CARE FOR PERSONS IN MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES.

Be it enacted, etc.. as follows:

SECTION 1. The first paragraph of section 4 of chapter 123 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 1984 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 24 and 25, the words "physical examination by a physician licensed under the provisions of chapter one hundred and twelve at least" and inserting in place thereof the words:-comprehensive physical examination by a physician licensed under the provisions of chapter one hundred and twelve at least upon admission and.

SECTION 2. Said section 4 of said chapter 123, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the first paragraph the following two paragraphs:-

During an admission examination, a periodic physical examination, or on a continuing basis, the examining physician shall identify all persons who require intermediate nursing services, skilled nursing services, chronic disease hospital services or rehabilitation hospital services, as defined in the regulations promulgated by the department of public welfare, regardless of any person's need to have such services provided in an institutional setting. Upon such identification, a report of the same shall be made by such physician to the commissioner, who shall maintain statistical records regarding such persons.

The department of mental health shall provide an individual service plan for every person so identified within thirty days of such identification, which plan shall be written pursuant to the standards and procedures established in the rules and regulations of said department, relative to the standards by which an individual may request and receive mental health services and which shall note each of the persons physical health care needs. Each service plan shall provide for services in the most age appropriate and disability appropriate setting consistent with the mental health needs of each person.

Approved December 24, 1986.